Nancy Salgado, who has worked at a Chicago McDonald's for 10 years and makes $8.25 an hour, asked the McResource representative a number of questions related to getting assistance to pay for her heating bill, her groceries and her sister's medical expenses. Salgado told the representative that she was recording the call for her sister.

The helpline operator never asked Salgado how much she made per hour, and how many hours per week she worked beyond the fact that she was a full-time employee. But she said that Salgado "definitely should be able to qualify for both food stamps and heating assistance."

The representative then pointed her toward a number of resources in Chicago, such as food pantries and a program that would help cover some of her heating bill. She said she would email her specific phone numbers and programs.

The operator also explained that the McResource line is available to help McDonald's workers who need help navigating the process of getting public assistance. The helpline's phone number is posted in fliers at many McDonald's locations.

The problem is that with some people abusing stuff to death, some good people get shorted in the process.

I don't see any abuse here really.

McDonald's workers are willing participants in the employment situation. McDonald's offers a certain scheme of work for a certain amount of compensation. The workers are free to politick and lobby and use whatever tools they have to try to better their situation.

If they don't like their wage, they have options. They can work more hours, find another or a different job, change their life situation so they don't need to work, go to school, stop working and draw public benefits. There are options.

It's only when someone refuses to take care of their own business themselves, when they sit downnon the floor and throw a fit demanding legislative action to change the game for everyone everywhere, because they refuse to respond and care for themselves - its only then that I get angry.

McDonald's workers are willing participants in the employment situation. McDonald's offers a certain scheme of work for a certain amount of compensation. The workers are free to politick and lobby and use whatever tools they have to try to better their situation.

If they don't like their wage, they have options. They can work more hours, find another or a different job, change their life situation so they don't need to work, go to school, stop working and draw public benefits. There are options.

It's only when someone refuses to take care of their own business themselves, when they sit downnon the floor and throw a fit demanding legislative action to change the game for everyone everywhere, because they refuse to respond and care for themselves - its only then that I get angry.

Pay your own way. Simple.

We are in agreement here.

I am saying don't have 5 kids and get on every public aid program that exists.

If people need to eat at times, it can be a different story.

I just hear so many stories of people selling their food benefits to individuals, small restaurant owners, etc.